Embalming



Patented Dec. 14 1948 Thomas C. Brogan, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa. I

No" Drawing. Application May 4, 1946, l I Serial No. 667,469

5 Claims. (Cl.-2722) This invention relates to embalming and more particularly to improvements in methods of ;em-

balm ng the human body.

The primary aims of embalming, as now practiced, are disinfection, for the purpose of destroying micro-organisms and rendering sterile the body tissues, preservation, by the chemical conversion of proteins, carbohydratesandfats of the body into resin-like substances, and beautification of thehuman' remains for funeral purposes, by the removal of all post mortemdis'colorations, the obliteration of ante-mortem discolorations or stains, and the return to natural complexion and contour of the'feaures to present a life-like appearance. In the treatment of the human body for embalming purposes suitable embalming and hardeningfluids are usually-employed, drainageof body fluidaincIudingzblood and lymph is usually effected and the interior cavities of the body are also subjected to,'treatment. .L;

In bodies which are subjected to autopsy the body is opened, by making suitable cuts, to give access to the thoracic and abdominal cavities and for this purpose the upper bone of the sternum and the lower bone of the sternum and the upper ribs at the front are usually cut. Access may then be had for medical and medico-legal examination to the internal organs and glands in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Upon the completion of the autopsy the organs and glands are usually returned to the interior of the body and the body is then delivered to the embalmer.

The cutting of the bones of the sternum and of the ribs in connection with the autopsy permits of the collapse of the thoracic and abdominal sections of the body and this makes difficult the return of the body to a life-like shape and condition. The organs and glands, and their contents, are particularly likely, if not properly treated, to result in the discharge of liquid and gas through the nose and mouth as well as through the openings made inthe body for purposes of post mortem examination even after these edges have been reunited. The removal of the organs and glands for examination also results in the rupture of the arterial and venous circulating systems which are customarily utilized in modern embalming practice.

In accordance with the present invention, the embalming may be effected in an improved manner which will permit of restoring the body to a life-like shape, facilitate the introduction of the disinfecting, preserving and hardening materials, and obviate leakage and discharge of gases and liquids subsequent to the completion'of the embalming. 1

"Other advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the specification and claims.

' The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily-understood from the following description, in which'the preferred practice of the invention is set forth, although it should, of course, .be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the various steps herein set forth without'departing from the spirit of the invention.

In-Jthe practice-of the-present invention, after the 'bodywhich' has-been subjected toan autopsy-is delivered to'the embalmer, the visceral contents of thethoracic and abdominal cavitiesare'removed and. are treated in the customary manner with-disinfecting, preserving and hardening materials by "immersion, orpif' desired, by injection. With the viscera removed from the cavities, ready access is had to the various arteries for the injection of disinfecting and preserving fluids and the circulation of these fluids through the arteries and the capillaries and into the veins with concurrent drainage of the blood through the veins for removal. For this purpose, access may be had to the innominate artery, the severed ends of the carotid arteries or even the internal and external branches thereof, the sub-clavian arteries, the common iliac arteries, and from each of these to the branching arteries with which they are in communication. The aorta is not usually available after an autopsy, having been severed for removal of the internal organs.

The blood and other fluids are also removed from the thoracic and abdominal cavities and these cavities are treated by using a strong fluid, injected into, or otherwise applied to, the int-erior.

In the practice of the present invention, after the completion of the treatment of the viscera, the same is placed in one or more flexible walled containers, made of any desired fluid tight material resistant to body fluids and embalming fluids for preventing the escape of gas and liquids from the interior thereof. The container is then sealed. While a plurality of containers may be used a single container is preferred of a size and shape substantially conforming to the size and shape of the interior of the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The sealed container is placed in position within these cavities. The

edges of the cuts made for autopsy are Joined in any desired manner, such as by sewing, so that the body is returned to its shape prior to the autopsy. The container and its contents act as a form for aiding in obtaining the natural shape and at the same time the container prevents the escape of gas and liquids from the mouth and nose. The body may then be dressed in the customary manner, and when treated as heretofore described, will be free from the objections which have heretofore been encountered.

I claim:

1. In embalming an incised and eviscerated body, the steps which include subjecting the viscera to embalming, pliantly confining the viscera in a fluid tight condition, and positioning the confined viscera within a body cavity, as'a form for aiding in returning the body to natural shape.

2. In embalming an incised and eviscerated body, the steps which include subjecting the viscera to disinfecting and preserving materials, pliantly confining the viscera thus treated in a fluid tight condition, positioning the confined viscera within a body cavity, and uniting the incised portions of the body at the edges of the incisions with the confined viscera in the body cavity.

3. In embalming an incised and eviscerated body, the steps which include confining the viscera in a fluid tight condition in the presence of preservative materials, positioning the confined viscera within a body cavity, and uniting the incised portions of the body at the edges of the incisions with the confined viscera in the body cavity. I i

4. In embalming a body in which the thoracic and abdominal cavities have been opened and the viscera subjected to autopsy, the steps Which include subjecting the viscera outside the body to the action of disinfecting and preserving materials, pliantly confining the viscera thus treated in a gas and liquid tight condition, embalming the remainder of the body, returning the confined viscera to the interior of the body, and closing the body cavity with the confined viscera in the body cavity as a form for aiding in returning the body to natural shape.

5. In embalming a body in which the thoracic and abdominal cavities have been opened and the viscera subjected to autopsy, the steps which include removing the viscera from the body and subjecting the same to the action of disinfecting and preserving materials, embalming the body by injection into arterial passageways accessible in the thoracic and abdominal cavities, pliantly confining the viscera thus treated in a gas and liquid tight condition, returning the confined viscera to the interior of the body, and closing the body cavity with the confined viscera in the body cavity. I

THOMAS C. BROGAN, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,238,563 Jaques Apr. 15, 1941 2,266,173 Day Dec. 16, 19 l1 OTHER REFERENCES 

